Hubert Davis identifies ‘yellow flags’ shown by North Carolina early in season

North Carolina hasn’t dominated to the degree many expected entering the season as the nation’s No. 1 team through its first three games. Different flaws in the Tar Heels’ game can be identified in each individual matchup, and UNC headman Hubert Davis sounded off on whether or not these flaws should be considered red flags or not.

“I don’t think there’s a red flag in terms of our team. I think there’s some yellow flags – I think there’s some yellow flags in terms of our toughness,” Davis said postgame. “… But I don’t think there’s any red flags, but there’s a number of areas where there are some yellow flags that need to be changed and will be changed.”

Davis mentioned sustained effort, commitment to defense, rebounding, sharing the basketball, studying the scouting report and doing the things he’s asking of his players on a daily basis. All of these so-called ‘yellow flags’ are what he believes will separate this year’s team from good and great.

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These growing pains are not something Davis expected out of a team fresh off a run to the national championship despite the Tar Heels’ 3-0 start to the year.

“That’s the shocking thing, I am [surprised]. I really felt like at the beginning of the year there would be a hunger and a thirst, and I really felt that,” Davis said. “I was excited about it, because I felt like it was coming from different directions, different viewpoints. So from the guys that played major minutes last year and decided to come back, there’s a hunger and thirst. For the guys that didn’t play last year, but have an opportunity this year, there’s a hunger and thirst. The freshmen that have joined here, there’s a hunger and a thirst to be a part of it. … I am surprised, I am.

“I’m very proud of the team. I’m very happy that we won, but the sustained effort and energy, the joy of being out there on the floor and having a chance to compete every day and see what this team can accomplish, it’s not where it needs to be. It’s not consistent. And as I said before, it will change and it will get better.”

North Carolina has a few days off before it takes the court again on Sunday, this time facing a 4-0 James Madison team at the Dean Smith Canter at noon ET live on the ACC Network.